Joseph B. Reichart, Jr

Joseph "Joe" B. Reichart, Jr., age 72 of Linn, passed away peacefully at home August 17, 2012.

Joe was born July 26, 1940, in New Berlin, IL, a son of Joseph Sr. and Hedwig (Lueckenhoff) Reichart. He was married June 6, 1964, to Sandra L. Gregory, at St. Casimir Church in St. Louis.

Joe was a graduate of LaSalette Seminary High School in Jefferson City and attended St. Louis University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1959-1963.

Joe was employed with several travel agencies in Jefferson City, retiring from Central Travel in 2006. He helped organize and led several pilgrimages to Europe, traveled to several foreign countries, the Caribbean islands and all 50 states. Prior to working in the travel business, he worked for McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis and Ozark Airlines in Jefferson City and Columbia. Joe previously held a private pilot license.

Joe was a member of St. George Catholic Church, where he served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Communion, taught RCIA classes, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight and also past Faithful Navigator and member of the 4th Degree Honor Guard.

Joe has also served as parish council president for 3 parishes, president of Legion of Mary at parish and diocesan levels, member and vice-chair of Diocesan Pastoral Council, president of Home and School Association, president of Holy Name Sodality. He was retreat captain for White House Retreats in St. Louis, having made over 35 retreats.

Survivors include his wife Sandy of 48 years; nine children, Cathy Wilde and her husband Ralph of Koeltztown, Joe Reichart, III and his wife Laurie of Fayetteville, AR, LTC Chris Reichart and his wife Tammy of Leavenworth, KS, Mike Reichart, USN (Ret) and his wife Stephanie of Manitowoc, WI, Paul Reichart and his wife Samantha of Jefferson City; Tom Reichart of Jefferson City, Greg Reichart of Atlanta, GA, Rob Reichart and his wife Megan of Linn, and Mary Reichart of Atlanta, GA; four sisters, Connie Reichart, Barbara Reichart, and Rose Huber and her husband Jim, all of Westphalia, and Susan Reichart of St. Louis; two brothers, Jim Reichart and Frank Reichart and his wife Pat, all of Westphalia; five grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren, six great step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Karen Reichart.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 20, 2012, at Morton Chapel in Linn. A Rosary Service will be held at 4:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at St. George Catholic Church with Fr. John Schmitz as the Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. George Parish Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to St. George Catholic Church, Missionaries of LaSalette, Hope Lodge of St. Louis, Hospice Compassus, White House Retreat or for Masses.